An asteroid, designated 2026 FM3, is set to flyby Earth at a close distance on March 24, shortly after its discovery. Another asteroid, 2024 YR4, has also been observed with a near circular path, raising no immediate threat. Get the latest updates on space missions and skywatching events.
Asteroid & Comet MissionsBreaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsSign up to our monthly entertainment newsletter to keep up with all our coverage of the latest sci-fi and space movies, tv shows, games and books.
Discover this week's must-see night sky events, moon phases, and stunning astrophotos. Sign up for our skywatching newsletter and explore the universe with us!Space.com's Sci-Fi Reader's Club. Read a sci-fi short story every month and join a virtual community of fellow science fiction fans!A car-sized asteroid will buzz Earth at a little over half the Earth-moon distance late tonight , just three days after its discovery by the Zwicky Transient Facility at the Palomar Observatory in California.designated 2026 FM3 will occur at 10:07 p.m. EDT on March 24 . The flyby will see theobject pass 147,836 miles from our planet's southern hemisphere — only 0.619% of the distance to the moon — while travelling at 11,461 miles per hour ,a little over three hours later at a distance of 370,022 miles , posing zero risk to either body. Bus-sized asteroid will fly past Earth tonight mere days after being discovered. Here's what to expectGood news for the moon: Famous asteroid 2024 YR4 won't smash into it in 2032 Early observations have revealed that the asteroid travels a near circular path around the sun that intersects Earth's orbit twice over the course of its 354-day period. The asteroid's closest known brush with our planet occurred in September 1965, when it missed Earth by just 30,559 miles — a hair's breadth in astronomical distances. However, current observations show that 2026 FM3 will make no such close approaches to Earth over the next 100 years, and it is far too small to be considered a potentially hazardous asteroid by The dense gaseous shell of Earth's atmosphere forms a protective barrier against smaller asteroids, which can on occasion be seen forming brief, fiery trails in the sky in the form of2026 FM3 is just one of over 41,000 near-Earth asteroids discovered to date — a number that is likely to swell dramatically as powerful new observatories come online, such as theContact me with news and offers from other Future brands in April 2025 after contributing articles to outlets including IGN, New Atlas and Gizmodo. He has a passion for the night sky, science, Hideo Kojima, and human space exploration, and can’t wait for the day when astronauts once again set foot on the moon.AsteroidsMarsWatch all your favorite sci-fi content like 'For All Mankind' and 'Star City' anywhere with this exclusive deal and get a free $50 Amazon Gift Card and 77% off NordVPNThe best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals for 2026: Sizeable savings on drones, Lego, streaming, star projectors and much more
Asteroid Flyby Earth Space Astronomy
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Samples From Distant Asteroid Contain All DNA and RNA Building BlocksI've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing.
Read more »
How recycling could help power America's rare earth futureOne untapped resource to meet the rising need for rare earth elements: recycling what's already been used.
Read more »
These 3 Rare Earth Stocks Could Gain From War-Related DisruptionsMarket Analysis by covering: Energy Fuels Inc, MP Materials Corp, USA Rare Earth Inc. Read 's Market Analysis on Investing.com
Read more »
War Is Hell for People and the EarthGiven the increasing violence across the world, it is essential that the international community more seriously address the environmental impacts of war as a persistent threat to the biosphere.
Read more »
Gregg Giannotti goes scorched earth on Brandon Tierney after 'bad teammate' dig at WFANGregg Giannotti went off on Brandon Tierney on Monday morning,
Read more »
NASA Tracking Car-Sized Asteroid Approaching Earth TomorrowThe space rock is hurtling through our cosmic backyard at a speed of some 11,453 miles per hour, according to the space agency.
Read more »